The Treasure You Discarded, The Regret You Earned

For three years of marriage, Hayden never touched me. Not even once. Until the day his first love, Audrey, who had gone abroad, announced her engagement on social media.

That night, the always aloof and arrogant heir of the Ross Family drowned himself in alcohol, drinking until he lost all sense of reason. In his haze, he sought me and spent the entire night tangled with me.

Three months later, I held my pregnancy report with trembling hands, my heart swelling with cautious hope. Perhaps this child would change things between us. Perhaps Hayden would finally look at me.

But all my hopes were shattered the moment I heard his voice on the phone.

"Audrey has called off her engagement and will be returning soon," he said coldly. "Get rid of the baby and we'll get a divorce."

A sharp pain twisted in my lower abdomen, but it was nothing compared to the agony of his words. At that moment, I finally let go of every last expectation I had.

"Alright," I whispered. "Divorce it is. I wish you and Audrey happiness."

***

I had already guessed Hayden wouldn't want this child. That was why, after receiving the report, I didn't tell him right away. Instead, I waited until we returned to the family manor, where his grandparents and uncle were present. If there was anyone who could make him reconsider, it was them.

When the time was right, I gathered my courage, took out the report and spoke in a steady voice.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm pregnant. Three months now."

The change in the elders was immediate. Their faces lit up with joy, smiles stretching all the way to their temples.

"Good, good," Elliot, Hayden's grandfather, exclaimed, his deep voice trembling with excitement.

Catherine, Hayden's grandmother, gasped in disbelief before her aged eyes welled up with tears. In the next moment, she removed her prized emerald bracelet—one that had been in the family for generations—and slipped it onto my wrist.

"Ariella, I've been waiting for this great-grandchild for so long," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I thought I wouldn't live to see the day, but it's finally here."

Then, as if unable to contain her joy, she turned to Elliot. "We must go to Hayden's parents' graves to tell them the good news."

With that, the elderly couple hurried off, their excitement palpable.

But as soon as they disappeared from sight, Hayden erupted.

"Ariella!"

His voice was a thunderous roar, sharp enough to send a tremor through my chest.

My heart pounded as I lifted my head to meet his gaze. His expression was terrifying. Veins bulged against his temples, his usually refined features twisted in fury.

"I watched you take birth control pills. How the hell did you still get pregnant?" His voice was low and venomous. "And now you've dragged Grandpa and Grandma into this? I really underestimated you!"

He sneered, his eyes brimming with hatred. "I should've known. From the very beginning, you were nothing but a scheming woman. You caused Audrey to leave the country, didn't you? You played the obedient wife for three years, only to show your true nature now."

The accusations struck deep, each one sharper than the last.

"Well played," he continued coldly, "but I will never accept this child. Audrey has called off her engagement and is returning soon. Only she will bear my children. You will go to the hospital and have an abortion immediately!"

With that, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the door.

But this time, I fought back. With all the strength I had, I wrenched my hand free.

Hayden froze, momentarily stunned, as if he had never expected the once-docile me to resist.

Tears streamed down my face, but my voice did not waver. "Hayden, listen to me," I said. "Audrey's scandal three years ago had nothing to do with me!"

I drew in a shuddering breath. "You want a divorce? Fine, I agree. But this child is mine. You have no right to take it away."

His jaw clenched, but I didn't stop. Three years ago, I had already loved Hayden for four years. I had watched as he fell for Audrey, a poor scholarship student and pursued her fiercely.

He had thrown her an extravagant birthday party, sparing no expense, gathering all the elites in our circle, making a grand spectacle of his love. I had stood in the shadows that night, watching him smile at her the way I wished he would smile at me.

But something went wrong.

The drinks were spiked. Hayden, Audrey and I were all drugged.

And that night, Hayden spent it with me.